As the leaves change colors, your skin will gradually lose its pigment. Still, you don't have to compromise your glow just because the temperatures are dropping and the sun is shining for fewer hours. Maintaining that same bronze hue is possible with the right makeup products and techniques. Can't afford a trip to Turks and Caicos this winter? Follow this guide and your complexion will be just as radiant through the colder months. In fact, you'll have everyone fooled into believing you've been basking on the beach.

Finding your shade
It's crucial to find the right tone to achieve a glow that's natural - after all, the point is to look as if you've been on vacation, not standing in a spray tanning booth.

St. Tropez skin finishing expert Fiona Locke told InStyle magazine that pale-skinned beauties shouldn't try to get a deep tan, and instead, aim to merely enhance their complexion with a faint pop of color. She warned not to use any makeup that has an orange undertone, which looks fake, and advised using moisturizers and lotions that can gradually build pigment. Mist A Tan For All Seasons by Bliss all over your body for long-lasting color. As an added benefit, the formula can hide pesky cellulite. You can also customize the darkness you achieve by re-applying it more or less frequently depending on your preference.

Jane Iredale Global Educator Shawn Towne noted that since fair skin is prone to redness, products with a yellow base can be beneficial, as they can diminish any pinkish undertones. It's important to achieve an even skin tone, as applying bronzer over a ruddy complexion could make you look sunburned instead of tan.

People with medium skin tones may find it easier to find a shade that suits them. Sabrina Bedrani, a makeup artist who has worked with Michelle Williams and Heidi Klum, explained to InStyle that those with yellowish or olive undertones should look for neutral browns. California Sun Glow is ideal for boosting your bronze, because it's formulated to create a customized hue according to your natural skin tone. You can use it in place of foundation, or just to add some contouring to your cheekbones.

While darker skin types might not necessarily be looking to deepen their tan, InStyle noted that they can even out their glow and enhance their hue with foundation and blush. Towne told the magazine that more vibrant, intense colors can make your features stand out. Try sweeping the Colorescience Mineral Blush Cheek Colore in "Gingerly Speaking" to where the sun hits your cheeks.

Prepping your skin
The key to sunkissed skin is moisturizer. St. Tropez skin-finishing expert Sophie Evan explained to Elle magazine that it's important to moisturize right after a shower, as you pores have been opened up and can thus absorb the product better. While exfoliators are highly beneficial, she advised against using any solutions that have an oil base, as they can cause an uneven application of any bronzing pigment and leave a greasy film on the skin. She also warned that salt scrubs can break up the self-tanner and cause splotches. The Elemis Spa At Home Tranquil Touch Body Polish has neither oil nor salt, and instead consists of a natural rice exfoliator to buff away pore-clogging impurities while enriching the skin. As an added perk, luxurious Cupuacu butter has a super softening effect.

You'll also need a separate exfoliating solution for the more sensitive skin on your face. Twice a week, apply the Elemis Skin Buff to remove dead cells and reveal a smoother complexion underneath. Chamomile soothes the skin, while laurel and hops revitalize it. Evan suggested exfoliating before as well as in between any self-tanning sessions, so the pigment doesn't become too intense in some areas while fading in others.

Tips & Tricks
While you might have been using tanning products frequently in the summer, it's best to cut it down to once a week come autumn for a more natural glow.

Evan recommended tanning using not only a moisturizer but also an eye cream before applying any self-tanner or bronzer, particularly if you have dry skin. The Bliss Fabulous Everyday Eye Cream is a multi-tasking miracle infused with vitamin E, and it can combat puffiness and dark circles while also nourishing the delicate area.

Make sure you apply the cream evenly, especially around the nose and other tricky areas, and give it some time to sink in to ensure pigment goes on evenly. If you get some tanning fluid into your eyebrows, Evan suggested using a cotton swab to take it off. Blondes also need to be careful that self-tanner doesn't stain their strands. By extending the moisturizer to the hairline, Evan explained that you can prevent any pigment from creeping into the roots.